American-to-English translation needed. . .plus request for coleslaw recipe

[expatkat]

Nigella recently published a recipe for roasted spatchcocked chicken in buttermilk for the New York Times. I clipped the recipe when I was in NY but now am back in London and don't know if I can get buttermilk here (I've never seen it).

Or maybe it lives on the shelves in some other guise, by some other name???????

Second: anyone have a truly amazing recipe for coleslaw?

I definitely saw buttermilk when I was in Sainsbury's yesterday, expatkat, & I've just found it on the ocado website too. It's with the fresh cream. HTH & sorry, I don't have a clue about coleslaw!

Definition from Delia for you, epk:

"This used to be a by-product of butter-making, hence its name, but now we have specially cultured buttermilk, which is made by adding a culture to skimmed milk. It has the same acidic flavour as the original and is perfect for making extra-light scones, soda bread and American-style pancakes."

I think it's a bit sour. Sour milk maybe? What do you put in pancakes?

Thanks for coming to the rescue, hoxtonchick. How on earth could I have never noticed it after nearly 6 yrs here? I guess I'm used to seeing it in cartons and can't quite accept that it might be sold in pots.

And you, too Janh. . . From what you say, janh, buttermilk seems hardly a household word in the UK. Is that so? Is it somewhat rarely used here? I know it's very common in Holland--nearly gagged once when I put it in my cereal by accident.

hope the chicken is good - let us all have the recipe if so!

I think you're right, epk - mostly used here for baking scones I think. I was v disappointed when I found out it was what is left over after making butter, rather than something creamy and buttery!

Don't know about truly amazing, but my coleslaw is v easy.

Finely chopped white cabbage, grated carrot, finely sliced onion, mix with mayonnaise. Some add raisins as well, but I like it simple.

Lou33--thanks for your recipe. I agree simple is good and I have used a similar recipe to yours, which I quite like! In this case, however, I'm looking for something with a bit of kick (what gives coleslaw it's kick anyway: horseradish?) and maybe something a little different from the ordinary, something a bit more unusual, which I intend serve as a side at a little summer-outdoors dinner party. Nigella says she does one with nuts and dried fruits, for example, but then she doesn't say HOW to do it!

I put walnuts and sultanas in mine and apple - but no carrot!

Hi

I lived in the States for a couple of years (been back nearly a year now)and whenever I had to try and convert anything I would use Delia Smith online. Her team were great they always came back with some suggestions.

Find Pappilion, she makes a loely unusual one

If you can't find buttermilk when you need it, a half/half mixture of natural yoghurt and skimmed milk is a good substitute.

Can't help with the coleslaw though.

This is a great sauce for coleslaw

Sesame Dressing

This strongly flavoured dressing is addictive! It turns bought packages of coleslaw or the simplest coleslaw vegetables into something exciting, but also dresses tomato, sprout, mesclun, cooked vegetable and pasta salads well, too. It keeps well and may be refrigerated for weeks. For a milder dressing use only 1 tablespoon sesame oil.

For 3/4 cup dressing:

1/4 cup canola oil (olive oil)
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
2 tablespoons sugar (honey)

1 tablespoon Thai sweet chilli sauce
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, if available
1 tablesppon Tahini (optional)

Measure all ingedients into a screw-topped jar and shake together. Use about 2 teaspoons dressing to 1 cup of compact salad or 1 teaspoon per cup of salad leaves.

chop up/shred some cabbage, grate some carrot, maybe a bit of onion if you have some. i like sultanas in mine too. Mix with some mayonnaise (i use the extra light cos of being on a diet ) I put a bit of lemon juice in with my coleslaw....gives it a bit of a kick. Good luck with the chicken!

Papillion, you are right about the sesame dressing. My family is addicted already! Last night I mixed it in with some cold pasta, sliced zucchini and cucumbers and some chick-peas. We spooned the pasta salad over some bag-salad and ate it together. Fabulous! Thanks so much, I've written the recipe down in my book of favorites. It would be SO good on napa cabbage, I'll have to try that next.

Forgot to say, I whizzed the dressing in the blender and it came out super-creamy. Delish!